Historical Study on Aranthangi Arasu: Inscriptional Evidence (1400-1750 CE)
By G. Pauldurai
Summary
This study examines the historical evolution of the Aranthangi Arasus (chiefs) in present-day Pudukkottai district from 1400 to 1750 CE, focusing on their political and social dynamics during a period of regional instability. The research draws primarily on 73 epigraphic sources, including stone inscriptions and copper plates, to reconstruct the history of the Aranthangi Tondaimans, who later influenced the Pudukkottai Rajahs. The title "Tondaiman" originated with the Aranthangi Arasus, who were local chiefs and feudatories during the medieval Chola and Pandya periods. The study highlights the rise of these chiefs amid the decline of central powers like the Pandyas and the Vijayanagara Empire, particularly after the 14th century. Key figures such as Uyyavanthan Tirunokkalagiyan Tondaiman and Kappa Muthaliyar are analyzed as examples of local leaders who transitioned from royal officials to influential chieftains. The research also explores the administrative and political shifts in the region, including the impact of Delhi Sultanate invasions in the early 14th century, which disrupted regional stability. The Aranthangi Arasus, initially subordinate to larger kingdoms, gradually consolidated power through land grants, inscriptions, and clan-based governance. The study underscores the importance of epigraphic evidence in tracing the lineage and authority of these chiefs, filling gaps in historical records about their relationship with later Pudukkottai rulers.
Conclusion
This study reconstructs the political trajectory of the Aranthangi Arasus (1400-1750 CE) through epigraphic analysis, revealing their evolution from medieval Chola-era feudatories to influential local chiefs. By examining 56 stone inscriptions and 17 copper plates, the research traces the Arasus' rise amid Vijayanagara's administrative neglect and post-Pandya political instability. The findings highlight how the title "Tondaiman," initially adopted by Aranthangi chiefs, later became central to Pudukkottai's royal identity, underscoring the region's unique political autonomy during colonial-era Tamil Nadu. The study fills gaps in scholarship by emphasizing the Arasus' clan-based governance and their role in navigating turbulent periods like the Delhi Sultanate incursions, contributing to a nuanced understanding of pre-colonial South Indian power dynamics.